Best Racquetball Racquets Reviews

Have you ever played racquetball? It’s crazy fun, and it’s good cardio. Whenever I finish a game, I am soaked. I am not a professional player, it’s just a habit, but I learned that racquetball provides a fantastic balance between fun and exercise. Not to mention that is a very competitive game. Whenever I feel stressed or frustrated about something, I just log in 2 hours of racquetball, and I’m fine.

But so that you know, one of the most important things in racquetball is the racquet. Yes, it’s a simple item, but it will define your game, especially if you are a beginner. It’s very important that you learn to play correctly from the very start, which is why I advise you not to underestimate its importance and invest in high-quality equipment.

The benefits of playing racquetball

Racquetball is a sport, so as any other sport, it comes with a number of health benefits. Not only physiological but psychological too. If you cannot see the connection between a game and your mental state, I will explain it to you in a couple of minutes.

Burns calories and fats – statistics state that in a 20-minute racquetball game, a player runs approximately 3650 feet. That means that if you play for an hour, you can burn up to 800 calories. Try to run on a treadmill to see how much do you have to run to burn that amount. As I said before, racquetball is great cardio. But it’s a lot more fun than running.

It strengthens your bones and muscles – there is a lot of movement involved, sometimes in uncomfortable positions. That will engage almost all muscle groups, big or small. If you go to a fitness center, you will be required to use different machines to train different muscle groups. Try racquetball, and that won’t be necessary.

Good for your heart – I know that I said that racquetball is good cardio, but I just want to emphasize the engaging of the most important muscle in your body: your heart. An hour of playing is equivalent to running two miles. Play a game twice a week, and you can say that you exercise just enough to maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.

It improves flexibility, balance, and coordination – you can say that this about any game that involves hitting a small item with a slightly bigger thing. It involves a lot of coordination and balance. But I guess you played tennis or badminton at least once in your life. It seems easy, but in reality, there is more to it.

Improves hand-eye coordination and mental agility – in a game of racquetball, you will be making strategic decisions. And you need to do that until the ball reaches your court, which is fast. That will teach you to think on your feet. Your brain will make connections a lot faster than before, and your reflexes will suffer improvement as well. Not to mention the enhancement of your eyesight and hand-eye coordination.

Reduces stress and lowers other health risks – I suppose you heard about endorphins, haven’t you? The happy hormone? The body is flooded with it during physical exercise. That means your stress level will go down. And let’s face it. You don’t really have the time to think about daily issues while the ball is coming towards your face. I use racquetball as a frustration reliever as well. Whenever I am mad at something, I just hit that ball until I cannot hit it anymore, and I don’t feel angry anymore. Told you it’s good for your mental state.

It’s fun – I don’t know if you played before or not, but I am having a lot of fun while playing racquetball. I feel like a child again. It makes me feel good.

It’s social – I usually play with a couple of friends. We make our own little competitions. The secret is not to become too competitive. Racquetball is a great social activity. For me, it beats sitting in a highchair in a bar.

What to choose the best racquetball racquet?

As I mentioned above, there is a lot to consider when you want to purchase a racquetball racquet because it will define your game. It’s important from the way you hold it to the way you swing it. That is why I compiled a list of things you should pay attention to when you buy yourself a racquet.

Weight – the weight of the racquet will determine the speed of the swing. So, if it weighs over 185 grams, then your swing speed will be slow. This weight is okay for a beginner, but you might want a lighter one as you advance. If you choose one with 170-185 grams, your swing speed will be moderate. Almost all players fall into this category. A racquet with a weight between 150 and 165 grams makes you a fast swinger, but it is recommended for those with perfect shoulders. If you have issues, this one will knock you out of the game. It’s too fast, and you can hurt yourself. Also, you have to be a pro player to use such a lightweight racquet.

Balance – this aspect will determine maneuverability. Also, it will define how you feel the racquet in your hand before you hit the ball. Heavy-head racquets have all the weight concentrated on the head, they will increase swing power. The light-head racquets have their weight focused on their handles, and they are easier to maneuver. And the even balance ones are… well, balanced. This last one is customizable, so I highly advise you go for it.

Grip size – there are two options, smaller or bigger. Almost all players go for the smaller optionbecause they have a better grip. That is very important as it will determine an increased power potential. But that is based on the skill level of each player. However, people with big hands go for the larger grip because overclenching can cause wrist and elbow pain.

What are the best racquetball racquets?

The answer to that question depends entirely on the player. Not everyone prefers a racquet of the same weight, grip size, or balance. However, when it comes to quality, there is such thing as a best racquetball racquet. Here are a few of my favorites.

Head Liquid Metal Racquetball Racquet Series

The frame on this one is spectacular. The manufacturer combined the success of Megablast technology with its new Liquid Metal technology, and this beauty came out. You can choose between the 170 grams version, the 180, and the 190 grams racquet, according to your preferences and your skill level. The grip is small, 3 5/8″.

The amount of power you get from this racquet is unparalleled. The Liquid Metal atomic structure will ensure that that product will not deform on impact. That also leads to an ultimate energy return that creates 29% more power when you make the hit.

I don’t know whether you used another racquet until now or not, but the first time you play with this one, you can immediately feel the strength, balance, and the grip is just perfect. I have to admit that I wanted one of these when I first started playing, but I improved my skills, and by the time I wanted another racquet, this one was too heavy. I am currently playing with a 165 grams racquet.

The package does not include a head cover; you will have to buy that separately. But please do. It will protect your racquet, and not just from dust. The good news is that it comes already strung and with a wrist strap. Actually, all racquetball racquets come with a wrist strap. You couldn’t believe the accidents that can happen if you don’t have a strap.

I don’t know if it makes any difference to you, but this Head racquet was designed by Caltech. I can only imagine a bunch of geniuses trying to figure out how to make a racquet that has an efficient energy transfer with increased torsional stability. The frame is made of a super thermos-polymer material, which will accelerate the ball like you’ve never seen before. So, if you need energy and power, this Head racquet is the perfect way to start. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.

Head i.165 Racquetball Racquet

This is the racquet I play with, so I had to bring it up. I must say that when I purchased it, I didn’t know so much about the importance of a racquet. I already got a little better by the time I bought it, and I knew that I wanted a lighter racquet. One of my friends recommended it to me. But now I know a lot more, so I believe I am entitled to make a recommendation as well.

This particular model was designed to reduce bending at ball impact. It uses an Intellifiber technology, patented by Head. The ball’s energy is turned into a response that hardens the racquet. That translates to incredible power. I can honestly say that I thought I was going to tear the wall apart when I first used it. That’s how much energy you have in a swing.

The balance is perfect. Before this, I had a heavyhead racquet, but this one is a lot better. I must admit that I was skeptical at first, but Irealized I was just accustomed to the old one. Once you get used to this one, touching another racquet will feel weird. That I can guarantee. Believe me, I tried.

The grip is 3 5/8″, perfect for me, but if you have big hands, then I recommend the larger grip. What I like is that even without gloves, the handle will not slip. But just in case, there is a strap that keeps your rocket from smashing someone’s head.

You will be happy to know that the i.165 comes already strung but without a cover. I recommend you buy one separately. Overall, this racquet is amazing. I honestly recommend it, unless you are a beginner. You need some skill to handle it. If not, try a heavier racquet first. Click here to read more reviews and buy on Amazon.

Ektelon Thunder ESP Racquetball Racquet

If you take a close look at the shape of the frame on this one and compare it to the previous two models, you will notice that the head is slightly modified and it looks more of a tear than anything else. The purpose of this modification is to expand the sweet spot at the top of the frame. It seems to work, and players like it more and more.

The frame is made of Graphite Xtreme material with Triple Threat for superior feel and stability. The Extreme string pattern, together with the Power Ring feature will maximize power and will give you that strength you need to make the perfect shot.

With this model, you get to choose from the 175 grams and the 185. I believe that it’s ideal for any racquetball player who exceeded the beginner stage and is entering the medium level. It has an excellent grip (3 5/8″) andincredible balance. It will not let you down.

My recommendation

I don’t think there is a point in choosing another model when the i.165 is the one that I own. It’s the best suggestion I can make, and I truly believe that this is one of the best racquetball racquets on the market. I can’t wait to try the next one, honestly.

Conclusion

I think that you should try racquetball sometimes. But given the fact that you are looking for a racquet, I can only guess you already decided on playing. It’s fun, and it’s good exercise. I hope you enjoy it at least as I do. But don’t forget to invest in the ideal racquet. Otherwise, your game will be affected, and not in a good way. Click here to buy on Amazon